SHEAR IN BEAMS

Shear Force is Present in Beams where there is a change in Bending Moment along the Span
It is equal to the Rate of Change of Bending Moment i.e.
dM
F=
dx
An exact Analysis of Shear in a Reinforced Concrete Beam is quite Complex.
Several Experimental studies have been conducted to understand the various modes of failure
which could occur due to possible combinations of Shear and Bending Moment acting at a
given section.
These modes are as follows:

(1) Diagonal Tension Failure:- Occurs under large Shear Force and less Bending
Moment as shown in Fig 1. Such cracks are normally at 45 with the horizontal.
(2) Flexural Shear Failure:- Occurs under large Bending Moment and leas Shear
Force as shown in Fig 2. Such cracks are normally at 90 with the horizontal.
(3 Diagonal Compression Failure:- Which occurs under large shear force as shown
in Fig 3. It is characterized by crushing of concrete. Normally it occurs in beams,
which are reinforced against heavy shear. Crack Center Line
Of span

Crack Crack

45 90

Fig 1 Diagonal Tension Failure

Fig 2 Flexure Tension Failure

Fig3 Diagonal Compression Failure

Resistance to Shear Force
Shear Force

Compressive Force in Concrete

Steel Aggregate
Interlocking Force
Tensile Force in Steel

Fig 4 Internal Forces Acting on Dowel Force

Beam when resisting Shear
Force

In a Beam Section the Shear Force is resisted by the following forces

(a) Shear Resistance of Un cracked portion of Concrete in Compression Region (VC)

(b) Shear Resistance due to Vertical Component of Aggregate Interlock Force (Vag)
(c) Shear Resistance due to Dowel Force in the Tension Reinforcement (Due to Dowel
Action (Vd)
(d) Shear Resistance carried by Shear (Vertical Stirrups) Reinforcement (VS)

Hence Total Shear resistance will be due to

VU = VC  Vag  Vd  VS
SHEAR STRESS

Fig 5 Horizontal Shear in Beams

M M + dM da
A C

E F
YC
Y1 Y
Y1

B dx D

A C
q.b.dx
A

dx
q.b.dx

B D
A Uniformly Loaded beam is shown in Fig 5 (a). Consider the free body diagram of an
element a b c d as shown in Fig 5(b).

Horizontal Equilibrium of Forces Requires,

C1 +  bdx = C2 (1)
Now
C1 = 0.5(1 + 1/ ) b (Nd – y)
and
x
'
σ 1= ( )
y
σ
Nd 1
Hence

[ ( )]
2
y
C 1=0.5 σ 1 b Nd 1− (2)
Nd

If Bending Moment at section 1 – 1 is M1

M = 0.5 1 b Nd jd
or
2 M1
σ 1=
Njb d2

M1
[ ( )]
2
y
C 1= 1− (3)
jd Nd

Similarly
M2
[ ( )]
2
y
C 2= 1− (4)
jd Nd

Hence from equation 1 3 and 4

[ M 2−M 1 1
] [ ( )]
2
y
τ= 1−
dx bjd Nd
OR

[ ( )]
2
V y
τ= 1− (5)
bjd Nd
Note: dM/dx = Shear Force
This value of Shear Stress is valid for any value of y from 0 to Nd. The Shear stress is
maximum at y = 0 i.e at Neutral axis
Hence Shear Stress can be taken as

V
τ=
bjd
(6)

In order to simplify the expression for shear stress, the factor ‘j’ being constant is removed
from the equation. Thus Clause 40.1 of IS 456 – 2000 requires that the Nominal Shear Stress

v be obtained by dividing the factored Shear Force by the effective area bd i.e.

Vu
τ v= (7)
bd

Where
Vu = Factored Shear Force due to design loads
b = Width of the member, which for the flanged section shall be taken as
width of the web bw
d = Effective Depth of the beam

DIAGONAL TENSION

qxa
R
R
q q B qa
B C B qxa 1 C
a a C

a q a q
Stress

A D A D
D
When a body is subjected to only shear stress and no other kind of stress is acting, then the
state is termed as a state of simple shear, as shown in the figure.
Consider a square block of side ‘a’ and of unit thickness. Cutting the block along the diagonal
BD and considering the equilibrium of wedges BCD and BAD

Force on BD = qa

R=√( qa ) + ( qa )
2 2
Reaction = qa √ 2 (Tensile)

Length of BD ¿a√ 2 q.b.dx

Area of BD ¿ a √ 2× 1

aq √ 2 q.b.dx
Stress on BD ¿
a √2 ×1

= q [ Diagonal Tension]
Also

We Know that
Principal Stresses are given by

√
2
σ +σ ( σ x −σ y ) 2
σ max /σ min= x y ± +τ
2 2

At neutral axis or at support the bending stresses x and y are zero, hence Principal Stresses
will be
σ max /σ min=τ

SHEAR REINFORCEMENT

When the Shear Stress exceeds the shear capacity of the concrete, Shear Reinforcement is
provided. To prevent the possibility of Crushing of Concrete in the web of the member,
maximum Shear Stress ( c max ) values are limited asx given in following Table [ IS 456 –
2000 ; Table 20; Page 73].
The Shear Strength of Concrete ( c ) based on percentage of Longitudinal Tensile
Reinforcement is Given in Table 19 of IS 456 – 2000 ; Page 73. The values given in the
Table are based on the following equations
0.85
τ c=
6β
√ 0.80 σ ck ( √ ( 1+5 β ) −1 ) (8)
where
0.8 σ ck 100 At
β= <1 pt = (9)
6.89 p t bd

Note: The term AS is the area of Longitudinal tension reinforcement which continues at
least one effective depth beyond the section being considered except at supports
where the full area of the tension reinforcement may be used provided the detailing
conforms to 26.2.2 and 26.2.3 of IS 456 – 2000 page

When Nominal Shear Stress v is greater than the shear strength of concrete c as a percentage
of longitudinal steel then Shear Reinforcement is required, i.e.

v > c
Thus when Shear reinforcement is necessary, the shear strength of the beam is
calculated on the following basis:
Total Shear Strength = Shear Strength of effective concrete area as a function of
longitudinal main steel bar
+ Shear Resistance of Vertical Shear Stirrups
+ Shear Resistance of inclined Bent up Bars
i.e.
VU = VC  Vag  Vd  VS
VU = VUC + VUS

Where:
VUC = VC  Vag  Vd [Shear resistance offered by concrete]
= c bd
And VUS = Shear resistance offered by shear reinforcement [vertical stirrups or
bent up bars or both]

Hence
VU = c bd + VUS
OR
VUS = VU  c bd (10)

Shear Reinforcement shall be provided to carry a Shear Equal to VU  c bd. [As per Clause
40.4 (a), (b), (c) of IS 456 – 2000; page 73]
The Strength of Shear reinforcement VUS shall be calculated as below

(a) For Vertical Stirrups:

0.87 f Y A SV d
V USV = (11)
SV

(b) For Inclined Stirrups or Series of Bent Up Bars at different Cross Sections

0.87 f Y ASV d
V USb= ( sin α +cosα ) (12)
SV

(c) For Single Bar or single group of parallel bars all bent up at the same Cross
Section
 V USb=0.87 f Y A SV d sinα (13)
Where:
ASV = Total Cross Sectional Area of Stirrup legs or bent up bars within a
distance of SV
SV = Spacing of the stirrups or bent up bars along the length of member
V = Nominal Shear Stress

C = Design Shear Strength of Concrete

b = Width of the member, which for flanged section will be taken as the width of
the Web bW
fY = Characteristic strength of the stirrup or bent up bar which shall not be taken
greater than 415 N/mm2
 = Angle between the incline stirrups or bent up bars and the axis of the
member, Not less than 45
d = Effective Depth

With Shear Reinforcement

As per Clause 40.2.3 page 72 of IS 456 – 2000, Under no circumstances, even with Shear

Reinforcement, shall the Nominal Shear Stress in Beams V exceeds C max given in Table 20 of
IS 456 – 2000 page 73
Minimum Shear Reinforcement
As per Clause 40.3 page 72 of IS 456 – 2000, When V is less than C given in Table 19 if IS
456 – 2000, page 73, Minimum Shear Reinforcement in the form of Stirrups shall be
provided in accordance with clause 26.5.1.6 of IS 456 – 2000 Page 48 such that :
A SV 0.4
≥
b S V 0.87 f Y
Where:
ASV = Total cross-sectional area of stirrup legs effective in shear
SV = Stirrup Spacing along the length of the member
b = Width of the beam or Width of the Web of a Flanged Beam
fY = Characteristic strength of the Stirrup Reinforcement in N/mm 2, which shall
not be taken greater than 415 N/mm2
Contribution of Bent Up bars
When Bent Up bars are provided their contribution towards Shear Resistance shall not be
greater than half of what is requires as Shear Reinforcement i.e.
V us
V USb=
2

Spacing of Shear Reinforcement

Vertical Stirrups :- If it is assumed that the diagonal cracks develops at 45 for the full
depth of the beam, then the theoretical shear resistance is in reasonable agreement with the
experimental results.
If the Spacing of the Shear Stirrups is x then number of Stirrups crossing a crack are equal to
d/X as shown in Figure.
If ASV is the area of one stirrup and fY Characteristic strength of the stirrup reinforcement, the
Shear Resistance provided by the vertical stirrups is:
d
VV= A 0.87 f Y
X SV

Thus Total Resistance

VU = VC + VV
d
V U =τ c bd+ A 0.87 f Y
X SV
OR
d
V U −τ c bd= A SV 0.87 f Y
x
OR
 d
V US = A 0.87 f Y Same equation as given in clause 40.4 (a) of the code
X SV

Where : X = Spacing of Stirrups which is as per code expressed as SV

Maximum Spacing of Shear Reinforcement [Clause 26.5.1.5 Page 47]

The Maximum spacing of Shear Reinforcement measured along the axis of the member shall
not exceed 0.75d for vertical stirrups and d for inclined stirrups at 45, where d is the
effective depth of the section under consideration. In no case shall the spacing exceed
300 mm, i.e.
SV ˃ 0.75d
SV ˃ 300 mm

Minimum Spacing of Stirrups

Minimum Spacing of Stirrups is limited to 100 mm in order to permit space for proper
compaction of concrete.

Problem 1 A RC Beam has an effective depth 500 mm and a width of 350 mm. It
contains 4-25 mm bars as tension reinforcement. If

(i) fck = 20 N/mm2 and fY = 250 N/mm2

(ii) fck = 25 N/mm2 and fY = 415 N/mm2
Calculate the Shear Reinforcement needed for a factored shear force of 350 kN

Solution:- Given VU = 350 kN

d = 500 mm
b = 350 mm
A) Continuing all bars into the support
Area of tension Reinforcement At = 4 x /4 x 252
At = 1963.5mm2
Now
100 At
pt =
bd
 100 × 1963.5
pt =
350 ×500

pt 1.12%

Now,
VU
τV =
bd

350× 1000
τV =
350× 500
= 2 N/mm2

Now

For Grade M20 and pt = 1.12%

From Table 19 of IS 456 2000 page 73; Design Shear strength of Concrete c

c = 0.64 N/mm2

Since v > c Shear Reinforcement is required

And c Max = 2.8 N/mm2

c Max > v > c Hence OK

Providing Only Vertical Stirrups
Adopt 8 mm diameter – 2 Legged Vertical Stirrups
Now we know that
VU = c bd + VUS
VUSV = VU  c bd
= 350 103 – 0.64  350  500
VUSV = 238000 N
Area of Vertical Stirrups
ASV = 2 /4  82
ASV = 100 mm2
Spacing of Shear Reinforcement
As per clause 40.4 (a) of IS 456 – 2000
 0.87 f Y A SV d
V USV =
SV
0.87 f Y A SV d
SV =
V USV
0.87× 250 ×100 ×500
SV =
238000
SV = 46 mm
Now
The Code Requires that spacing should be
SV < 0.75 d [ 0.75  500 = 375 mm ]
SV < 300 mm
Although, all requirements of the code are satisfied by 8 mm – 2 legged MS bars @ 46 mm
c/c, but adopt minimum spacing of stirrups as 100 mm c/c in order to permit space for
proper compaction of concrete
Therefore Revised Area of Stirrups
V USV × S V 238000× 100
A SV = ¿
0.87 f Y ×d 0.87 250× 500
Revised Area
ASV = 219 mm2
Provide 12 mm – 2 legged vertical Stirrups @100 mm c/c giving an Area of 226 mm2
Check
Minimum Shear Reinforcement as per clause 26.5.1.6 of IS 456 – 2000 Page 48
A SV 0.4
≥
b S V 0.87 f Y
0.4 ×b S V
A SV =
0.87 f Y
0.4 ×350 ×100
A SV =
0.87 ×250
ASV = 65 mm2 < 226 mm2 Hence OK

(ii) fck = 25 N/mm2 and fY = 415 N/mm2

A) Continuing all bars into the support

pt = 1.12%
 V = 2 N/mm2

For Concrete Grade of M25 and pt = 1.12%

c = 0.66 N/mm2

Since v > c Shear Reinforcement is required

And c Max = 3.1 N/mm2

c Max > v > c Hence OK

Providing Only Vertical Stirrups

Adopt 8 mm diameter – 2 Legged Vertical Stirrups
Now we know that
VU = c bd + VUS
VUSV = VU  c bd
= 350 103 – 0.66  350  500
VUSV = 234500 N
Area of Vertical Stirrups
ASV = 2 /4  82
ASV = 100 mm2
Spacing of Shear Reinforcement
As per clause 40.4 (a) of IS 456 – 2000
0.87 f Y A SV d
V USV =
SV
0.87 f Y A SV d
SV =
V USV
0.87× 415 ×100 × 500
SV =
234500
SV = 77 mm
Now
The Code Requires that spacing should be
SV < 0.75 d [ 0.75  500 = 375 mm ]
SV < 300 mm
Although, all requirements of the code are satisfied by 8 mm – 2 legged MS bars @ 77 mm
c/c, but adopt minimum spacing of stirrups as 100 mm c/c in order to permit space for
proper compaction of concrete
Therefore Revised Area of Stirrups
V USV × S V 234500 ×100
A SV = ¿
0.87 f Y ×d 0.87 ×415 × 500
Revised Area
ASV = 130 mm2
Provide 10 mm – 2 legged vertical Stirrups @100 mm c/c giving an Area of 157 mm2

Check
Minimum Shear Reinforcement as per clause 26.5.1.6 of IS 456 – 2000 Page 48
A SV 0.4
≥
b S V 0.87 f Y
0.4 ×b × S V
A SV =
0.87 f Y
0.4 ×350 ×100
A SV =
0.87 × 415
ASV = 39 mm2 < 226 mm2 Hence OK

B) Provide 2 – 25 Dia Bars as Bent Up Bars

Hence 2 Nos of 25 Dia Bars are continued into the support

100 At
pt =
bd

π 2
100 × 2× × 25
4
pt =
350 × 500

pt 0.56%
From Table 19 of IS 456 2000 page 73;

For pt = 0.56% and M25 Concrete Design Shear strength of Concrete c is

c = 0.53 N/mm2
Provide Shear Reinforcement for Shear Equal to
VUS = VU  C bd
VUS = 350000  0.53  350  500
VUS = 257 kN
Providing Shear Reinforcement as Vertical Stirrups and Bent Up Bars

As per clause 40.4 (c) of IS 456 – 2000, the Contribution of 2 bent Up bars at 45
Vusb = 0.87 fY Asb Sin

Vusb = 0.87 415  2 /4  252 Sin45

Vusb = 250 kN
But the contribution of Bent Up Bars shall not be greater than half of what is required as
Shear Reinforcement.
Hence
Vusb = Vus / 2

Vusb = 128 kN
Two Middle Bars will be bent up at the distance of 2d from the support
And Shear Stirrups are Provided for the remaining Shear of 128 kN